1966 Newspaper Headlines Summary
The 60’s was a decade filled with change. Many things happened during this decade that would shape the future of society forever. Employment increased, which meant that people had more money to spend on leisure activities. Freedom and equality were signature ethos of the 60’s, and was embodied iconically by the Hippie movement. 1966 newspaper headlines tell page-turning stories about all the events that occurred during this exciting year.
The Beatles released their legendary album “Revolver”, Walt Disney passed away after contracting lung cancer, and Star Trek was shown on television for the first time. There are plenty of 1966 news stories to choose from if you have a particular interest in any of these events, and many more.
January 2-13, 1966
A strike of public transportation workers takes place in New York City.
January 18, 1966
About 8,000 U.S. soldiers land in South Vietnam, bringing the number of troops in the country to 190,000.
February 8, 1966
The National Hockey League awards Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a second NHL franchise, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
February 9, 1966
The National Hockey League awards the Twin Cities area an NHL franchise, the Minnesota North Stars.
March 4, 1966
The Beatles spark controversy in the United States after John Lennon states “We’re more popular than Jesus now” in an interview published in the London Evening Standard newspaper.
March 20, 1966
The Jules Rimet Trophy, the original prize for winning the FIFA World Cup, is stolen at an exhibition. It is later found by a dog named “Pickles” and his owner David Corbett.
March 26, 1966
Demonstrations against the Vietnam War take place across the United States.
April 18, 1966
The 38th Academy Awards ceremony is held, with The Sound of Music winning Best Picture.
April 19, 1966
Bobbi Gibb is the first woman to run the Boston Marathon.
April 29, 1966
The number of U.S. troops in Vietnam totals 250,000.
May 16, 1966
Bob Dylan’s seminal album Blonde on Blonde is released in the U.S.
May 16, 1966
Marin Luther King Jr. makes his first public speech on the Vietnam War in New York City.
June 6, 1966
Civil Rights activist James Meredith is shot while trying to march across Mississippi.
June 30, 1966
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded in Washington D.C.
July 16, 1966
Prime Minister Harold Wilson flies to Moscow for peace negotiations over the Vietnam War. A meeting with Russian leaders is unsuccessful, as the Soviet government refutes his ideas.
July 29, 1966
Bob Dylan is injured in a motorcycle accident near his home in Woodstock, New York. He isn’t seen in public for over a year.
July 30, 1966
England beats West Germany 4-2 after extra time to win the 1966 FIFA World Cup at Wembley Stadium, London.
August 5, 1966
The Beatles release the legendary “Revolver” album.
August 5, 1966
Caesars Palace hotel and casino opens in Las Vegas.
August 6, 1966
Braniff Airlines Flight 250 crashes in Falls City, Nebraska, killing all 42 people on board.
August 15, 1966
It is announced that the New York Herald Tribune will not resume publication.
August 24, 1966
Rock band The Doors release their self-titled debut LP.
August 29, 1966
The Beatles play their very last concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
September 8, 1966
“Star Trek“ is shown on television for the first time. The opening episode is titled “The Man Trap”.
October 15, 1966
President Lyndon Johnson signs a bill creating the United States Department of Transportation.
October 21, 1966
Congress approves the AFL-NFL merger.
October 22, 1966
British spy George Blake escapes from Wormwood Scrubs prison; he is next seen in Moscow.
November 8, 1966
Former Massachusetts Attorney General Edward Brooke is the first African American elected to the United States Senate since Reconstruction.
November 8, 1966
Actor Ronald Reagan, a Republican, is elected Governor of California.
November 9, 1966
John Lennon meets Yoko Ono at the Indica Gallery.
November 27, 1966
Washington defeat the New York Giants 72-41 in the highest scoring game in NFL history.
December 15, 1966
Walt Disney, American animated film producer (b. 1901) dies from lung cancer. At the time, he was producing The Jungle Book, making it the last animated feature under his personal supervision.
December 31, 1966
Thieves steal millions of pounds-worth of paintings from the Dulwich Art Gallery in London.
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